Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-31

Just then the bell rang, and Captain Fosse was
announced. He seemed rather excited, aud looked
had hoped he said, "to have found the duke here
Have you seen him to-day? have hunted for him
everywhere, but nobody has seen either him or
Ale has not been here for two days" was the
reply. 'Dr. knOwall told us he was suffering from
rneumatsm. No doubt he has gone on suddenly
"He would hardly. have gone, think" said the
captain, without letting me know. 1t Is most
The next day, on inquiry at the Hall, It was as
certalned that a letter had come from the duke,
doctor In the metropolis had ordered him OF in
stantiy TO Aix-les-Bains, whence, It was hoped,
that after short period he would return COM
Then were there searchings Of hearts in Little
swamp. After basking so long under the sun OF
into an intolerabie state Of Zimmerman gloom. De-
preston was far and widely felt, but nowhere
more keenly than in the Rossendale family.
one day stanger called on them, quiet-look-
Ing, elderly gentleman, who began TO make In
qulries ABOUT the departed tenants OF Beresford
and that the duke and his friend had gone to AK
les Bains. whence they hoped to return IN few
weeks, the stranger seemed overcome with unac-
countaoie merriment as he said: "The duke will
''oh. but he has said that he will" objected Mrs.
Rossendale, surprised at his manner, and family
'He'lI never come back from Aix-les-Balns," said
Sne man. for the best OF all possible reasons, that
pray explain yourself, sir" said Mrs. Rossen-
.'My dear Madam. this duke you've all been en-
CerCunlng SO graciOusly Is one or the greatest
rogues and imposters at this moment in England
or out OF it. We've long wanted him at Scotland
The Duke De and MI sfW s
are simply Jonathan COppin and William, his
orother. They were tailors originally, became
oanhrupt, ana then took to life OF adventure and
Then occurred a scene Ophelia burst into tears;
nel protner whistled; her father grinned; her
II dare say" said the detective, "they did not
!eaVe without getting some money out OF the place.
out should be glad If you would explain TO me the
Nh. Rossendale told him about the Peony League
aIter winch the gentleman left, laughing with Bit
Ier SCOTT, as ne drove away, at the facility with
which the worship OF rank and blood had rendered
tnis FOOLISH neighborhood the dupe OF two clever
But the neighborhood was not long in awaken
Ing, ana bitter that awakening was Captain
FosSe, the frumps and the other contributors to
tne Peony League depored the loss of their money,
put Inc captain had to depl0re In addition, the
loss or his reputation. "Where's the duke?"
urchins called alter him, and "duke" was scrawled
in chalk all about his black palings The trades
men, who had been the dupes Of his stupidity and
VINO mad never had a penny or their money from
the duke, revenged themselves on the captain.
1ney glggied aud1bly as he passed; they were most
insulting 10 his sons. But, worse than this
true blue Tories ali their lives followed the stream
and declared their intention or voting for Rowan
tree Rowantree became more and more popular
every day. His speeches were spiced with a sar-
casn and invecttve that exactly suited the taste
OF the time. The captain, on the contrary, failed
TO get hearing at all; storms of ridicule and
shrieks OF laughter, mingled with objurgations,
drove him from every platform, and when The cleo
ZION TOOK place ROwantree headed the poll with an
enormous majority. And Ophelia? She married,
after all, young Christopher Scrub, with the will
ing consent OF her mother, who no longer attached
that Importance to considerations OF blue blood,
on the value OF which she received so severe a
lessOn.-Bet1rdUia.